PFF Press Release: 8 November 2023
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is pleased to announce that Otis Khan, a pivotal player within our national team, has received official approval from the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for eligibility to represent Pakistan.
This exciting development paves the way for Otis Khan to be an integral part of our squad as he gears up to represent Pakistan in the forthcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, Round 2. Previously, the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) had already cleared Otis Khan for eligibility to represent Pakistan.
The Pakistan Football Federation extends its gratitude to Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for their support in this matter.
Faizan Lakhani for Geo Super adds:
Otis, who is an integral part of Pakistan team, had missed the round one of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Cambodia last month after being deemed ineligible by FIFA.
Khan made his Pakistan debut against Mauritius in a friendly last June. His eligibility was based on his paternal grandfather, Kanwar Jamil Mohammed Khan, who was born in Delhi but later relocated to Pakistan following the partition in 1947, subsequently settling in Manchester.
As per the Pakistan government any individuals who migrated to Pakistan from the territories in the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent before the commencement of the Pakistan Citizenship Act, 1951 are declared citizens of Pakistan.
Pakistan will begin their journey in the second round with their game against Saudi Arabia in Dammam on November 16. After facing Saudi Arabia on November 16 at the latter’s backyard, Pakistan will host Tajikistan in Islamabad on November 21.
On March 21, 2024, Pakistan will host Jordan, on March 26 Jordan will host Pakistan and on June 6 Pakistan will host Saudi Arabia. On June 11 Pakistan will travel to Tajikistan to play their last game of the round. The top two teams from the group will qualify for the third round.
It must be noted that Pakistan on October 17 created history when they conquered Cambodia 1-0 at the Jinnah Stadium, Islamabad, to make it to the second round.